Ngee Ann Secondary School

Science Department
Safety in
Safety in the
the Laboratory…
Laboratory…
“Areyou
“Are you ready
readyfor
for the
thelaboratory?”
laboratory?”

• Students are required to wear safety goggles when

heating and mixing substances.
• Avoid loose garments. (eg: ties)
• Avoid long, loose hair styles.
• When bunsen burners are in use, long hair
sometimes catches fire.
• Protective gloves and clothing must be worn when
handling hazardous materials.
Safety in
Safety in the
the Laboratory…
Laboratory…
“Areyou
“Are you breaking
breakingany
anylaboratory
laboratoryrules?”
rules?”

• Students must not enter or work in laboratories

unless a teacher is present.
• No unauthorised experiments. Apparatus or
chemicals are not allowed out of the laboratory
without the permission of a teacher.
• Laboratory storerooms and preparation rooms are
out of bound to all students.
• Eating and drinking are prohibited in laboratories.
• Students should always work thoughtfully and
purposefully. Practical jokes and other acts of
carelessness are strictly prohibited.
Safety in
Safety in the
the Laboratory…
Laboratory…
“Areyou
“Are you aware
awareof
ofthe
theproper
proper laboratory
laboratoryconduct?”
conduct?”

Testing of Odours
• Do not smell the flask directly.
• If you must smell the odour, carefully waft the odour
from the flask toward your nose with your hand.
Safety in
Safety in the
the Laboratory…
Laboratory…
“Areyou
“Are you aware
awareof
ofthe
theproper
proper laboratory
laboratoryconduct?”
conduct?”

Heating of Test Tubes

• Keep the flask a distance from your face.
• Make sure that the test tubes are NOT directed toward
yourself or your classmates.
Safety in
Safety in the
the Laboratory…
Laboratory…
“Areyou
“Are you aware
awareof
ofthe
theproper
proper laboratory
laboratoryconduct?”
conduct?”

Chemicals (eg: Acids and Water)

• Do not add water to concentrated acid.
• The heat generated may cause splattering.
• If it is necessary to prepare certain solutions, add
acid to water instead.
• Always wear eye protection.
• Chemicals or other materials must never be tasted
unless specifically directed by the teacher.
Safety in
Safety in the
the Laboratory…
Laboratory…
“Areyou
“Are you aware
awareof
ofthe
theproper
proper laboratory
laboratoryconduct?”
conduct?”

Use of the Fume Hood

• Use the fume hood for reactions that give off vapours.
• The draft of the hood will sweep away vapors so that
the laboratory maintains a reasonable air quality.
Safety in
Safety in the
the Laboratory…
Laboratory…
“Areyou
“Are you aware
awareof
ofthe
theproper
proper laboratory
laboratoryconduct?”
conduct?”

Others
• Unlabelled chemicals should not be used. Unlabelled
containers should be reported to the teacher.
• Students should seek clarification from the teacher if
instructions for an experiment are not thoroughly
understood. Students should not proceed with an
experiment if in doubt.
• Electrical wirings must be kept away from naked
flames and heaters. Areas around electrical
equipment should be kept dry and where appropriate,
kept far from water.
Safety in
Safety in the
the Laboratory…
Laboratory…
“Areyou
“Are you aware
awareof
ofthe
theproper
proper laboratory
laboratoryconduct?”
conduct?”

Others
• Equipment used to handle or transfer hazardous
materials must be inspected for leaks, cracks and
other forms of damage before use.
• Pipetting should always be carried out using a pipette
aid and never by mouth.
• Sharps (such as needles, razors or pins) should not
be discarded in waste-bins or trash bags. Instead, a
sturdy container should be used for sharp waste
objects.
Safety in
Safety in the
the Laboratory…
Laboratory…
“What do
“What doyou
youdo
doififsomething
somethingis
isbroken?”
broken?”

• Damaged equipment, breakages, accidents and

spillage should be immediately reported to your
teacher.
• Sweep away the broken glass using a broom and a
dustpan.
• Place the broken glass in a container designated for
sharp objects.
Safety in
Safety in the
the Laboratory…
Laboratory…
“Do you
“Do youknow
know what
what to
to do
do in
in case
caseof
of an
anemergency?”
emergency?”

Common Safety Equipment in the Laboratory

Fire Extinguisher
There are two main types of fire extinguishers:
• Carbon dioxide
• Dry chemical (powder)
Safety in
Safety in the
the Laboratory…
Laboratory…
“Do you
“Do youknow
know what
what to
to do
do in
in case
caseof
of an
anemergency?”
emergency?”

Common Safety Equipment in the Laboratory

Fire Blanket
• Remove the blanket from the container.
• Wrap it around the victim to put out the fire.
Safety in
Safety in the
the Laboratory…
Laboratory…
“Do you
“Do youknow
know what
what to
to do
do in
in case
caseof
of an
anemergency?”
emergency?”

Common Safety Equipment in the Laboratory

Eye-wash Apparatus
• If an object gets in your eye, remove it from your eye
immediately.
• Run fresh water over your eye for several minutes.
Safety in
Safety in the
the Laboratory…
Laboratory…
“Do you
“Do youknow
know what
what to
to do
do in
in case
caseof
of an
anemergency?”
emergency?”

Common Safety Equipment in the Laboratory

First Aid Kit
• Items in the kit may be used temporarily for small
injuries.
Safety in
Safety in the
the Laboratory…
Laboratory…
“Do you
“Do youknow
know what
what to
to do
do in
in case
caseof
of an
anemergency?”
emergency?”

Common Safety Equipment in the Laboratory

Safety Shower
• Position yourself (or your laboratory partner) under
the safety shower.
• Pull the handle to release the flow of water.
• Flames will be rapidly extinguished.
Safety in
Safety in the
the Laboratory…
Laboratory…
“Do you
“Do youknow
know what
what to
to do
do in
in case
caseof
of an
anemergency?”
emergency?”

Common Safety Equipment in the Laboratory

Sand Bucket
• They are often kept next to ovens, barbecues, and
other areas where fires can occur. Oil fires are
resistant to water, a fire sand bucket is used.
Safety in
Safety in the
the Laboratory…
Laboratory…
“Areyou
“Are you ready
readyto
toleave
leavethe
the laboratory?”
laboratory?”

• Throw all used solutions into the sink, unless

otherwise stated by your teachers.
• All solid waste should be thrown in a dustbin.
• Wash all apparatus and return them to their original
locations.
• Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after
every practical lesson.